Steel structure for hydrogen gas, mehtod for producing hydrogen storage tank, and method for producing hydrogen line pipe (as amended)

ABSTRACT

Provided is a steel structure for hydrogen gas such as a hydrogen storage tank or a hydrogen line pipe which achieves a lower fatigue crack propagation rate in a high-pressure hydrogen atmosphere than steels used in the related art and has high hydrogen embrittlement resistance. The steel structure for hydrogen gas, which has high hydrogen embrittlement resistance in high-pressure hydrogen gas, has a steel microstructure including any one of 10% to 95% of bainite on an area-ratio basis, 10% to 95% of martensite on an area-ratio basis, and 10% to 95% of pearlite on an area-ratio basis, with the balance being substantially ferrite.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a steel structure for hydrogen gas, such as a hydrogen storage tank or a hydrogen line pipe, which has high hydrogen embrittlement resistance in a high-pressure hydrogen atmosphere, a method for producing such a hydrogen storage tank, and a method for producing such a hydrogen line pipe.

BACKGROUND ART

In recent years, worldwide attention has been focused on hydrogen as a renewable energy source and as an energy source that enables energy diversification to be achieved. In particular, development of fuel-cell vehicles that use high-pressure hydrogen as a fuel source has been strongly anticipated, and studies on the development of fuel-cell vehicles have been carried out all over the world. In some of the studies, a test for practical use has already been conducted.

Fuel-cell vehicles run on hydrogen contained in a tank mounted thereon instead of on gasoline. Thus, in order to spread the use of fuel-cell vehicles, hydrogen stations, at which refueling is performed instead of gas stations, are required. At a hydrogen station, a hydrogen fuel tank mounted on a vehicle is filled with hydrogen supplied from a hydrogen storage tank, which is a vessel for hydrogen in which hydrogen is stored at a high pressure. While the maximum filling pressure of a vehicle-mounted hydrogen tank is currently 35 MPa, it is desired to increase the maximum filling pressure to 70 MPa in order to increase the driving ranges of fuel-cell vehicles to a level comparable to the driving ranges of gasoline vehicles. Thus, it is required to store and supply hydrogen with safety in such a high-pressure hydrogen atmosphere. Accordingly, the pressure in a hydrogen storage tank used in a hydrogen station is currently required to be 40 MPa. If the maximum filling pressure is increased to 70 MPa, the pressure in the hydrogen storage tank used in a hydrogen station would be required to be 80 MPa. In other words, in such a case, the hydrogen storage tank used in a hydrogen station would be subjected to an 80-MPa atmosphere.

However, it is known that entry of hydrogen into a low-alloy steel causes embrittlement (i.e., hydrogen embrittlement) to occur. In the case where the hydrogen pressure is about 15 MPa or less, low-alloy steel plates having a sufficiently large thickness can be used. However, a hydrogen pressure exceeding about 15 MPa increases the risk of hydrogen embrittlement fracture that may occur during service. Therefore, low-alloy steel materials are not used and, for example, austenitic stainless steels such as SUS316L steel, which are less likely to cause hydrogen embrittlement to occur than low-alloy steels, are used instead.

Since steel materials such as SUS316L steel are expensive and have low strengths, a hydrogen storage tank that is designed so as to withstand a hydrogen pressure of 80 MPa needs to have a considerably large thickness, which greatly increases the price of such a hydrogen storage tank. Thus, development of a hydrogen storage tank for hydrogen stations which is capable of withstanding a pressure of 80 MPa at a lower cost has been anticipated.

In order to address the above-described issues, various techniques for using low-alloy steels for producing a high-pressure hydrogen storage tank have been studied. Patent Literature 1 proposes a steel for a high-pressure hydrogen atmosphere in which non-diffusible hydrogen is produced by using a MnS-based or Ca-based inclusion or VC as a hydrogen-trapping site in the steel in order to reduce the risk of embrittlement that may be caused by diffusible hydrogen. Patent Literature 2 and Patent Literature 3 propose a low-alloy high-strength steel having high resistance to high-pressure hydrogen atmosphere embrittlement. The tensile strength of the low-alloy high-strength steel is controlled within a considerably narrow range of 900 to 950 MPa by performing a tempering treatment at a relatively high temperature during quenching and tempering of a Cr—Mo steel. Patent Literature 4 proposes a low-alloy steel for a high-pressure gaseous hydrogen atmosphere in which a V—Mo-based carbide is used for increasing tempering temperature in order to enhance resistance to hydrogen atmosphere embrittlement. Patent Literature 5 proposes a steel for hydrogen storage tank (or high-pressure hydrogen storage vessel) which has high resistance to hydrogen. Large amounts of Mo and V are added to the steel and, during production of steel plates,

stress-relief annealing is performed for long hours after a normalizing treatment to cause a large amount of (Mo,V)C to precipitate. Patent Literature 6 proposes a technique in which the amount of hydrogen entry is reduced by reducing the sizes of cementite particles and thereby the toughness of the base metal is increased in order to reduce the risk of hydrogen embrittlement. Patent Literature 7 proposes a technique in which formation of coarse cementite particles and island-like martensite (i.e., martensite-austenite constituent (MA)) is suppressed and thereby occurrences of hydrogen entry and ductility deterioration are limited in order to reduce the risk of hydrogen embrittlement. The fatigue crack propagation characteristics of ordinary low-alloy steel materials are described in, for example, Non Patent Literature 1 and Non Patent Literature 2.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

-   [PTL 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.     2005-2386 -   [PTL 2] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.     2009-46737 -   [PTL 3] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.     2009-275249 -   [PTL 4] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.     2009-74122 -   [PTL 5] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.     2010-37655 -   [PTL 6] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.     2012-107332 -   [PTL 7] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.     2012-107333

Non Patent Literature

-   [NPL 1] Yoru WADA: “Journal of the Hydrogen Energy Systems Society     of Japan”, Vol. 35, No. 4 (2010), pp. 38-44 -   [NPL 2] Taisuke MIYAMOTO et al.: “Transactions of The Japan Society     of Mechanical Engineers (Series A)”, Vol. 78, No. 788 (2012), pp.     531-546

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

A hydrogen storage tank, which is used in a particularly high-pressure hydrogen atmosphere, is subjected to a cyclic stress since the storage tank is repeatedly filled with hydrogen, which makes it difficult to achieve a long service life. In order to increase the service life, it is important to reduce fatigue crack propagation rate. However, it has been impossible to reduce fatigue crack propagation rate to a sufficient degree in the above-described techniques of the related art.

Moreover, it is also desirable that steel structures for hydrogen gas such as a hydrogen line pipe for hydrogen pipelines, which have not always been used in a high-pressure hydrogen atmosphere comparable to that in which a hydrogen storage tank is used, have the same degree of safety as the hydrogen storage tank.

The present invention has been developed in light of the above-described fact. An object of the present invention is to provide a steel structure for hydrogen gas such as a hydrogen storage tank or a hydrogen line pipe which achieves a lower fatigue crack propagation rate in a high-pressure hydrogen atmosphere than steels used in the related art and has high hydrogen embrittlement resistance.

Solution to Problem

From the above-described viewpoint, the inventors of the present invention have conducted extensive studies of the hydrogen embrittlement resistances of steel structures for hydrogen gas having various microstructures in a high-pressure hydrogen gas. As a result, the inventors have found that a steel structure for hydrogen gas which has a steel microstructure including any one of bainite, martensite, and pearlite with the balance being substantially ferrite may have higher hydrogen embrittlement resistance in high-pressure hydrogen gas than the materials used in the related art which have a single-phase microstructure and thereby a steel structure for hydrogen gas such as a hydrogen storage tank or a hydrogen line pipe which has high hydrogen embrittlement resistance may be produced.

Specifically, the inventors of the present invention have found that a steel structure for hydrogen gas which has a steel microstructure including a predetermined amount of bainite with the balance being substantially ferrite may achieve higher hydrogen embrittlement resistance in high-pressure hydrogen gas than the materials used in the related art which have a single-phase microstructure and have high hydrogen embrittlement resistance. Note that the expression “steel microstructure including a predetermined amount of bainite with the balance being substantially ferrite” means that the steel microstructure is a dual-phase microstructure substantially composed of ferrite and bainite.

The inventors of the present invention have also found that a steel structure for hydrogen gas which has a steel microstructure including a predetermined amount of martensite with the balance being substantially ferrite may achieve higher hydrogen embrittlement resistance in high-pressure hydrogen gas than the materials used in the related art which have a single-phase microstructure and have high hydrogen embrittlement resistance. Note that the expression “steel microstructure including a predetermined amount of martensite with the balance being substantially ferrite” means that the steel microstructure is a dual-phase microstructure substantially composed of ferrite and martensite.

The inventors of the present invention have further found that a steel structure for hydrogen gas which has a steel microstructure including a predetermined amount of pearlite with the balance being substantially ferrite may achieve higher hydrogen embrittlement resistance in high-pressure hydrogen gas than the materials used in the related art which have a single-phase microstructure and have high hydrogen embrittlement resistance. Note that the expression “steel microstructure including a predetermined amount of pearlite with the balance being substantially ferrite” means that the steel microstructure is a dual-phase microstructure substantially composed of ferrite and pearlite.

The inventors of the present invention have conducted further studies on the basis of the above-described findings. Thus, the present invention was made. The summary of the present invention is described below.

[1] A steel structure for hydrogen gas which has high hydrogen embrittlement resistance in high-pressure hydrogen gas, the steel structure having a steel microstructure including any one of 10% to 95% of bainite on an area-ratio basis, 10% to 95% of martensite on an area-ratio basis, and 10% to 95% of on an area-ratio basis, with the balance being substantially ferrite.

[2] The steel structure for hydrogen gas described in [1] which has high hydrogen embrittlement resistance in high-pressure hydrogen gas, in which the steel microstructure includes 10% to 95% of bainite on an area-ratio basis with the balance being substantially ferrite.

[3] The steel structure for hydrogen gas described in [1] which has high hydrogen embrittlement resistance in high-pressure hydrogen gas, in which the steel microstructure includes 10% to 95% of martensite on an area-ratio basis with the balance being substantially ferrite.

[4] The steel structure for hydrogen gas described in [1] which has high hydrogen embrittlement resistance in high-pressure hydrogen gas, in which the steel microstructure includes 10% to 95% of pearlite on an area-ratio basis with the balance being substantially ferrite.

[5] The steel structure for hydrogen gas described in [2], the steel structure having a steel composition containing, by mass, C: 0.05% to 0.20%, Si: 0.05% to 0.50%, Mn: 0.5% to 2.0%, Al: 0.01% to 0.10%, N: 0.0005% to 0.008%, P: 0.05% or less, S: 0.01% or less, and O: 0.01% or less, with the balance being Fe and inevitable impurities.

[6] The steel structure for hydrogen gas described in [3], the steel structure having a steel composition containing, by mass, C: 0.05% to 0.35%, Si: 0.05% to 0.50%, Mn: 0.5% to 2.0%, Al: 0.01% to 0.10%, N: 0.0005% to 0.008%, P: 0.05% or less, S: 0.01% or less, and O: 0.01% or less, with the balance being Fe and inevitable impurities.

[7] The steel structure for hydrogen gas described in [4], the steel structure having a steel composition containing, by mass, C: 0.05% to 0.10%, Si: 0.05% to 0.50%, Mn: 0.5% to 2.0%, Al: 0.01% to 0.10%, N: 0.0005% to 0.008%, P: 0.05% or less, S: 0.01% or less, and O: 0.01% or less, with the balance being Fe and inevitable impurities.

[8] The steel structure for hydrogen gas described in any one of [5] to [7], in which the steel composition further contains, by mass, one or more elements selected from Cu: 0.05% to 1.0%, Ni: 0.05% to 2.0%, Cr: 0.1% to 2.5%, Mo: 0.05% to 2.0%, Nb: 0.005% to 0.1%, V: 0.005% to 0.2%, Ti: 0.005% to 0.1%, W: 0.05% to 2.0%, and B: 0.0005% to 0.005%.

[9] The steel structure for hydrogen gas described in any one of [5] to [8], in which the steel composition further contains, by mass, one or more elements selected from Nd: 0.005% to 1.0%, Ca: 0.0005% to 0.005%, Mg: 0.0005% to 0.005%, and REM: 0.0005% to 0.005%.

[10] The steel structure for hydrogen gas described in any one of [1] to [9], the steel structure being a hydrogen storage tank or a hydrogen line pipe.

[11] A method for producing the hydrogen line pipe described in [10] which has high hydrogen embrittlement resistance in high-pressure hydrogen gas, the method including heating a steel having the steel composition described in any one of [5] to [9] to an Ac₃ transformation temperature or more, followed by hot rolling; and subsequently performing cooling from an Ar₃ transformation temperature or more to 600° C. or less at a cooling rate of 1° C./sec. to 200° C./sec.

[12] A method for producing the hydrogen line pipe described in [10] which has high hydrogen embrittlement resistance in high-pressure hydrogen gas, the method including heating a steel having the steel composition described in any one of [5] to [9] to an Ac₃ transformation temperature or more, followed by hot rolling; performing quenching from an Ar₃ transformation temperature or more to 250° C. or less at a cooling rate of 1° C./sec. to 200° C./sec; and subsequently performing tempering at an Ac₁ transformation temperature or less.

[13] A method for producing the hydrogen storage tank described in [10] which has high hydrogen embrittlement resistance in high-pressure hydrogen gas, the method including forming a steel material having the steel composition described in any one of [5] to [9] into a predetermined shape, followed by heating to an Ac₃ transformation temperature or more; performing quenching from an Ar₃ transformation temperature or more to 250° C. or less at a cooling rate of 0.5° C./sec. to 100° C./sec; and subsequently performing tempering at an Ac₁ transformation temperature or less.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the present invention, a steel structure for hydrogen gas such as a hydrogen storage tank or a hydrogen line pipe which has markedly higher hydrogen embrittlement resistance in high-pressure hydrogen gas than those of the related art may be produced, which is highly advantageous from an industrial viewpoint.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is described specifically below.

The steel structure for hydrogen gas according to the present invention has a steel microstructure including any one of 10% to 95% of bainite on an area-ratio basis, 10% to 95% of martensite on an area-ratio basis, and 10% to 95% of pearlite on an area-ratio basis, with the balance being substantially ferrite. In other words, the steel structure for hydrogen gas according to the present invention has any one of the following: a steel microstructure including 10% to 95% of bainite on an area-ratio basis with the balance being substantially ferrite; a steel microstructure including 10% to 95% of martensite on an area-ratio basis with the balance being substantially ferrite; and a steel microstructure including 10% to 95% of pearlite on an area-ratio basis with the balance being substantially ferrite.

The steel microstructure of the steel structure for hydrogen gas according to the present invention is a dual-phase microstructure substantially composed of soft ferrite and any one of bainite, martensite, and pearlite, which are hard phases. The soft ferrite and the hard phase are dispersed in the steel microstructure of the steel structure for hydrogen gas according to the present invention. Fatigue cracks stagnate, divert, and/or split at the interface therebetween, which reduces fatigue crack propagation rate and enables high hydrogen embrittlement resistance to be achieved.

In the present invention, microstructure fraction may be determined, for example, in the following manner. Nital etching is performed in order to cause a microstructure to appear. An image of the microstructure is captured using an optical microscope or an SEM (scanning electron microscope). Each microstructure is identified using the image, and the area ratio of the microstructure is calculated.

The term “steel structure for hydrogen gas having high hydrogen embrittlement resistance in high-pressure hydrogen gas” used herein refers to a steel structure for hydrogen gas which has a fatigue crack propagation rate of 1.0×10⁻⁶ (m/cycle) or less at a stress intensity factor range ΔK of 25 (MPa·m^(1/2)) as described below. Examples of the steel structure for hydrogen gas include a hydrogen storage tank and a hydrogen line pipe.

The hydrogen storage tank, which is the steel structure for hydrogen gas according to the present invention, is a storage tank used in, for example, a hydrogen station as described above. Examples of such a storage tank include storage tanks composed of only the Type-1 steel material and storage tanks composed of the Type-2 or Type-3 steel material wrapped with carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP). The terms “Type-1”, “Type-2”, and “Type-3” used herein refer to the classification of the structures of vessels described in standards pertaining to compressed natural gas vehicle fuel containers, ISO11439, ANSI (American National Standards Institute)/NGV (Natural Gas Vehicle), Container Safety Rules-Exemplified Standard-Appendix-9 of High Pressure Gas Safety Act, and the like. The pressure of hydrogen stored in the vessel is about 35 MPa or about 70 MPa. Examples of the hydrogen line pipe, which is the steel structure for hydrogen gas according to the present invention, include a seamless steel line pipe and an UOE steel line pipe. The hydrogen pressure is 5 MPa or more.

The present invention is described specifically below for each of steel microstructures of the structure for hydrogen gas, that is, 1) bainite and ferrite (Invention 1), 2) martensite and ferrite (Invention 2), and 3) pearlite and ferrite (Invention 3).

1) Steel Microstructure Including Bainite with Balance being Substantially Ferrite (Invention 1)

One of steel microstructures of the steel structure for hydrogen gas according to the present invention is a steel microstructure including 10% to 95% of bainite on an area-ratio basis with the balance being substantially ferrite. This steel microstructure of the steel structure for hydrogen gas according to the present invention is a steel microstructure in which soft ferrite and hard bainite are dispersed. In the steel structure for hydrogen gas according to the present invention, fatigue cracks stagnate, divert, and/or split in the vicinity of the interface between the dispersed soft ferrite and hard bainite, which reduces fatigue crack propagation rate and enables high hydrogen embrittlement resistance to be achieved. The term “soft ferrite” used herein refers to polygonal ferrite having a microstructure having a hardness value of about 70 to 150 HV10, and the term “hard bainite” used herein refers to either upper bainite (Type BI, BII, or BIII) or lower bainite having a microstructure having a hardness value of about 150 to 300 HV10. The term “HV10” refers to a Vickers hardness measured at a testing force of 98 N in accordance with JIS Z2244:2009 “Vickers hardness test-Test method”.

The above-described effect becomes apparent when the area ratio of a bainite microstructure to the entire microstructure is 10% to 95% and the balance is basically composed of ferrite, that is, when the steel microstructure is a dual-phase microstructure primarily composed of ferrite and bainite. Thus, in the present invention, the steel structure for hydrogen gas has a steel microstructure including 10% to 95% of a bainite microstructure on an area-ratio basis with the balance being substantially a ferrite microstructure. The area ratio of bainite is preferably 20% to 95% and is more preferably 25% to 95%. The area ratio of bainite is further preferably 30% to 70%. Further preferably, the area ratio of bainite is 40% to 60%. The fatigue crack propagation rate becomes the lowest when the area ratios of the ferrite microstructure and the bainite microstructure are substantially equal to each other. Specifically, the fatigue crack propagation rate becomes the lowest when the proportion of the area ratio of the bainite microstructure in the total area ratio of the ferrite microstructure and the bainite microstructure, that is, namely, a bainite-area-ratio proportion [Bainite-Area-Ratio Proportion: (Area Ratio of Bainite Microstructure)/((Area Ratio of Ferrite Microstructure)+(Area Ratio of Bainite Microstructure))], is 0.3 to 0.7. Thus, the bainite-area-ratio proportion is preferably 0.3 to 0.7 and is more preferably 0.4 to 0.6. Although the balance other than the bainite microstructure is substantially ferrite, microstructures other than bainite or ferrite (e.g., pearlite and martensite) may be included in such a manner that the total area ratio of the other microstructures is 2% or less. This is because the advantageous effects of the present invention are not substantially impaired when the total area ratio of the other microstructures is 2% or less. In other words, the other microstructures may be included in such a manner that the total area ratio of bainite and ferrite is 98% or more.

A preferable steel composition of the steel structure for hydrogen gas according to the present invention (Invention 1), which has the above-described steel microstructure including 10% to 95% of bainite on an area-ratio basis with the balance being substantially ferrite, is described below. Hereinafter, the notation of “%” regarding compositions represents “% by mass” unless otherwise specified.

C: 0.05% to 0.20%

Carbon (C) is added to a steel in order to ensure adequate hardenability. However, this effect may become insufficient if the C content is less than 0.05%. Accordingly, the C content is set to 0.05% or more and is preferably set to 0.08% or more. In particular, in order to facilitate achieving the above-described area ratio of bainite, the C content is preferably set to 0.10% or more. However, if the C content exceeds 0.20%, the toughness of a base metal and the toughness of a weld heat-affected zone may become reduced and weldability may be significantly degraded. Accordingly, the C content is set to 0.20% or less and is preferably set to 0.17% or less. In particular, in order to facilitate achieving the above-described area ratio of bainite, the C content is preferably set to 0.15% or less. Thus, the C content is limited to 0.05% to 0.20%.

Si: 0.05% to 0.50%

Silicon (Si) is added to a steel as an element that serves as a deoxidizer in a steelmaking process and that ensures certain hardenability. However, the effect may become insufficient if the Si content is less than 0.05%. Accordingly, the Si content is set to 0.05% or more and is preferably set to 0.08% or more. In particular, in order to facilitate achieving the above-described area ratio of bainite, the Si content is preferably set to 0.10% or more. However, if the Si content exceeds 0.50%, embrittlement of grain boundaries may occur, which leads to a reduction in low-temperature toughness. Accordingly, the Si content is set to 0.50% or less and is preferably set to 0.45% or less. In particular, in order to facilitate achieving the above-described area ratio of bainite, the Si content is preferably set to 0.40% or less. Thus, the Si content is limited to 0.05% to 0.50%.

Mn: 0.5% to 2.0%

Manganese (Mn) is added to a steel as an element that ensures certain hardenability. However, this effect may become insufficient if the Mn content is less than 0.5%. Accordingly, the Mn content is set to 0.5% or more and is preferably set to 0.8% or more. In particular, in order to facilitate achieving the above-described area ratio of bainite, the Mn content is preferably set to 1.0% or more. However, a Mn content exceeding 2.0% may reduce grain boundary strength, which leads to a reduction in low-temperature toughness. Accordingly, the Mn content is set to 2.0% or less and is preferably set to 1.8% or less. In particular, in order to facilitate achieving the above-described area ratio of bainite, the Mn content is preferably set to 1.5% or less. Thus, the Mn content is limited to 0.5% to 2.0%.

Al: 0.01% to 0.10%

Aluminium (Al) is added to a steel as a deoxidizer. Al also forms a fine precipitate of an Al-based nitride, which causes pinning of austenite grains to occur during heating and thereby limits coarsening of the grains. However, these effects may become insufficient if the Al content is less than 0.01%. Accordingly, the Al content is set to 0.01% or more and is preferably set to 0.02% or more. However, an Al content exceeding 0.10% may increase the risk of formation of surface flaws in a steel plate. Accordingly, the Al content is set to 0.10% or less and is preferably set to 0.08% or less. Thus, the Al content is limited to 0.01% to 0.10%.

N: 0.0005% to 0.008%

Nitrogen (N) is added to a steel because it reacts with Nb, Ti, Al, or the like to form a nitride and then forms a fine precipitate, which causes pinning of austenite grains to occur during heating and thereby limits coarsening of the grains. This leads to an increase in low-temperature toughness. However, if the N content is less than 0.0005%, the sizes of microstructures may fail to be reduced to a sufficient degree. Accordingly, the N content is set to 0.0005% or more and is preferably set to 0.002% or more. However, a N content exceeding 0.008% may increase the amount of dissolved N, which reduces the toughness of a base metal and the toughness of a weld heat-affected zone. Accordingly, the N content is set to 0.008% or less and is preferably set to 0.006% or less. Thus, the N content is limited to 0.0005% to 0.008%.

P: 0.05% or Less

Phosphorus (P), which is an impurity element, is likely to segregate at grain boundaries. A P content exceeding 0.05% may reduce the grain boundary strength of adjacent grains, which leads to a reduction in low-temperature toughness. Thus, the P content is limited to 0.05% or less and is preferably set to 0.03% or less.

S: 0.01% or Less

Sulfur (S), which is an impurity element, is likely to segregate at grain boundaries and is likely to form MnS, which is a nonmetallic inclusion. A S content exceeding 0.01% may reduce the grain boundary strength of adjacent grains and increase the amount of inclusion, which leads to a reduction in low-temperature toughness. Thus, the S content is limited to 0.01% or less and is preferably set to 0.005% or less.

O: 0.01% or Less

Oxygen (O) reacts with Al or the like to form an oxide and thereby affects ease of shaping materials. An O content exceeding 0.01% may increase the amount of inclusion and reduce the ease of shaping. Thus, the O content is limited to 0.01% or less and is preferably set to 0.006% or less.

2) Steel Microstructure Including Martensite with Balance being Substantially Ferrite (Invention 2)

One of steel microstructures of the steel structure for hydrogen gas according to the present invention is a steel microstructure including 10% to 95% of martensite on an area-ratio basis with the balance being substantially ferrite. This steel microstructure of the steel structure for hydrogen gas according to the present invention is a steel microstructure in which soft ferrite and hard martensite are dispersed. In the steel structure for hydrogen gas according to the present invention, fatigue cracks stagnate, divert, and/or split in the vicinity of the interface between the dispersed soft ferrite and hard martensite, which reduces fatigue crack propagation rate and enables high hydrogen embrittlement resistance to be achieved. The term “soft ferrite” used herein refers to polygonal ferrite having a microstructure having a hardness value of about 70 to 150 HV10, and the term “hard martensite” used herein refers to a microstructure having a hardness value of about 200 to 600 HV10 which may, but does not necessarily, include cementite.

The above-described effect becomes apparent when the area ratio of a martensite microstructure to the entire microstructure is 10% to 95% and the balance is basically composed of ferrite, that is, when the steel microstructure is a dual-phase microstructure primarily composed of ferrite and martensite. Thus, in the present invention, the steel structure for hydrogen gas has a steel microstructure including 10% to 95% of a martensite microstructure on an area-ratio basis with the balance being substantially a ferrite microstructure. The area ratio of martensite is preferably 20% to 95% and is more preferably 25% to 95%. The area ratio of martensite is further preferably 30% to 70%. Further preferably, the area ratio of martensite is 40% to 60%. The fatigue crack propagation rate becomes the lowest when the area ratios of the ferrite microstructure and the martensite microstructure are substantially equal to each other. In other words, the fatigue crack propagation rate becomes the lowest when the proportion of the area ratio of the martensite microstructure in the total area ratio of the ferrite microstructure and the martensite microstructure, that is, namely, a martensite-area-ratio proportion [Martensite-Area-Ratio Proportion: (Area Ratio of Martensite Microstructure)/((Area Ratio of Ferrite Microstructure)+(Area Ratio of Martensite Microstructure))], is 0.3 to 0.7. Thus, the martensite-area-ratio proportion is preferably 0.3 to 0.7 and is more preferably 0.4 to 0.6. Although the balance other than the martensite microstructure is substantially ferrite, microstructures other than martensite or ferrite (e.g., pearlite and bainite) may be included in such a manner that the total area ratio of the other microstructures is 2% or less. This is because the advantageous effects of the present invention are not impaired when the total area ratio of the other microstructures is 2% or less. In other words, the other microstructures may be included in such a manner that the total area ratio of martensite and ferrite is 98% or more.

A preferable steel composition of the steel structure for hydrogen gas according to the present invention (Invention 2), which has the above-described steel microstructure including 10% to 95% of martensite on an area-ratio basis with the balance being substantially ferrite, is described below. As described above, the notation of “%” regarding compositions represents “% by mass” unless otherwise specified.

C: 0.05% to 0.35%

Carbon (C) is added to a steel in order to ensure adequate hardenability. However, this effect may become insufficient if the C content is less than 0.05%. Accordingly, the C content is set to 0.05% or more and is preferably set to 0.08% or more. In particular, in order to facilitate achieving the above-described area ratio of martensite, the C content is preferably set to 0.10% or more. However, if the C content exceeds 0.35%, the toughness of a base metal and the toughness of a weld heat-affected zone may become reduced and weldability may be significantly degraded. Accordingly, the C content is set to 0.35% or less and is preferably set to 0.27% or less. In particular, in order to facilitate achieving the above-described area ratio of martensite, the C content is preferably set to 0.25% or less. Thus, the C content is limited to 0.05% to 0.35%.

Si: 0.05% to 0.50%

Silicon (Si) is added to a steel as an element that serves as a deoxidizer in a steelmaking process and that ensures certain hardenability. However, the effect may become insufficient if the Si content is less than 0.05%. Accordingly, the Si content is set to 0.05% or more and is preferably set to 0.08% or more. In particular, in order to facilitate achieving the above-described area ratio of martensite, the Si content is preferably set to 0.10% or more. However, if the Si content exceeds 0.50%, embrittlement of grain boundaries may occur, which leads to a reduction in low-temperature toughness. Accordingly, the Si content is set to 0.50% or less and is preferably set to 0.45% or less. In particular, in order to facilitate achieving the above-described area ratio of martensite, the Si content is preferably set to 0.40% or less. Thus, the Si content is limited to 0.05% to 0.50%.

Mn: 0.5% to 2.0%

Manganese (Mn) is added to a steel as an element that ensures certain hardenability. However, this effect may become insufficient if the Mn content is less than 0.5%. Accordingly, the Mn content is set to 0.5% or more and is preferably set to 0.8% or more. In particular, in order to facilitate achieving the above-described area ratio of martensite, the Mn content is preferably set to 1.0% or more. However, a Mn content exceeding 2.0% may reduce grain boundary strength, which leads to a reduction in low-temperature toughness. Accordingly, the Mn content is set to 2.0% or less and is preferably set to 1.8% or less. In particular, in order to facilitate achieving the above-described area ratio of martensite, the Mn content is preferably set to 1.5% or less. Thus, the Mn content is limited to 0.5% to 2.0%.

Al: 0.01% to 0.10%

Aluminium (Al) is added to a steel as a deoxidizer. Al also forms a fine precipitate of an Al-based nitride, which causes pinning of austenite grains to occur during heating and thereby limits coarsening of the grains. However, these effects may become insufficient if the Al content is less than 0.01%. Accordingly, the Al content is set to 0.01% or more and is preferably set to 0.02% or more. However, an Al content exceeding 0.10% may increase the risk of formation of surface flaws in a steel plate. Accordingly, the Al content is set to 0.10% or less and is preferably set to 0.08% or less. Thus, the Al content is limited to 0.01% to 0.10%.

N: 0.0005% to 0.008%

Nitrogen (N) is added to a steel because it reacts with Nb, Ti, Al, or the like to form a nitride and then forms a fine precipitate, which causes pinning of austenite grains to occur during heating and thereby limits coarsening of the grains. This leads to an increase in low-temperature toughness. However, if the N content is less than 0.0005%, the sizes of microstructures may fail to be reduced to a sufficient degree. Accordingly, the N content is set to 0.0005% or more and is preferably set to 0.002% or more. However, a N content exceeding 0.008% may increase the amount of dissolved N, which reduces the toughness of a base metal and the toughness of a weld heat-affected zone. Accordingly, the N content is set to 0.008% or less and is preferably set to 0.006% or less. Thus, the N content is limited to 0.0005% to 0.008%.

P: 0.05% or Less

Phosphorus (P), which is an impurity element, is likely to segregate at grain boundaries. A P content exceeding 0.05% may reduce the grain boundary strength of adjacent grains, which leads to a reduction in low-temperature toughness. Thus, the P content is limited to 0.05% or less and is preferably set to 0.03% or less.

S: 0.01% or Less

Sulfur (S), which is an impurity element, is likely to segregate at grain boundaries and is likely to form MnS, which is a nonmetallic inclusion. A S content exceeding 0.01% may reduce the grain boundary strength of adjacent grains and increase the amount of inclusion, which leads to a reduction in low-temperature toughness. Thus, the S content is limited to 0.01% or less and is preferably set to 0.005% or less.

O: 0.01% or Less

Oxygen (O) reacts with Al or the like to form an oxide and thereby affects ease of shaping materials. An O content exceeding 0.01% may increase the amount of inclusion and reduce the ease of shaping. Thus, the O content is limited to 0.01% or less and is preferably set to 0.006% or less.

3) Steel Microstructure Including Pearlite with Balance being Substantially Ferrite (Invention 3)

One of steel microstructures of the steel structure for hydrogen gas according to the present invention is a steel microstructure including 10% to 95% of pearlite on an area-ratio basis with the balance being substantially ferrite. This steel microstructure of the steel structure for hydrogen gas according to the present invention is a steel microstructure in which soft ferrite and hard pearlite are dispersed. In the steel structure for hydrogen gas according to the present invention, fatigue cracks stagnate, divert, and/or split in the vicinity of the interface between the dispersed soft ferrite and hard pearlite, which reduces fatigue crack propagation rate and enables high hydrogen embrittlement resistance to be achieved. The term “soft ferrite” used herein refers to polygonal ferrite having a microstructure having a hardness value of about 70 to 150 HV10, and the term “hard pearlite” used herein refers to a microstructure having a hardness value of about 150 to 300 HV10, in which ferrite and pearlite form a lamellar structure or pearlite is dispersed in ferrite in clusters.

The above-described effect becomes apparent when the area ratio of a pearlite microstructure to the entire microstructure is 10% to 95% and the balance is basically composed of ferrite, that is, when the steel microstructure is a dual-phase microstructure primarily composed of ferrite and pearlite. Thus, in the present invention, the steel structure for hydrogen gas has a steel microstructure including 10% to 95% of a pearlite microstructure on an area-ratio basis with the balance being substantially a ferrite microstructure. The area ratio of pearlite is preferably 20% to 95% and is more preferably 25% to 95%. The area ratio of pearlite is further preferably 30% to 70%. Further preferably, the area ratio of pearlite is 40% to 60%. The fatigue crack propagation rate becomes the lowest when the area ratios of the ferrite microstructure and the pearlite microstructure are substantially equal to each other. In other words, the fatigue crack propagation rate becomes the lowest when the proportion of the area ratio of the pearlite microstructure in the total area ratio of the ferrite microstructure and the pearlite microstructure, that is, namely, a pearlite-area-ratio proportion [Pearlite-Area-Ratio Proportion: (Area Ratio of Pearlite Microstructure)/((Area Ratio of Ferrite Microstructure)+(Area Ratio of Pearlite Microstructure))], is 0.3 to 0.7. Thus, the pearlite-area-ratio proportion is preferably 0.3 to 0.7 and is more preferably 0.4 to 0.6. Although the balance other than the pearlite microstructure is substantially ferrite, microstructures other than pearlite or ferrite (e.g., bainite and martensite) may be included in such a manner that the total area ratio of the other microstructures is 2% or less. This is because the advantageous effects of the present invention (Invention 3) are not impaired when the total area ratio of the other microstructures is 2% or less. In other words, the other microstructures may be included in such a manner that the total area ratio of pearlite and ferrite is 98% or more.

A preferable steel composition of the steel structure for hydrogen gas according to the present invention, which has the above-described steel microstructure including 10% to 95% of pearlite on an area-ratio basis with the balance being substantially ferrite, is described below. As described above, the notation of “%” regarding compositions represents “% by mass” unless otherwise specified.

C: 0.05% to 0.10%

Carbon (C) is added to a steel in order to ensure adequate hardenability. However, this effect may become insufficient if the C content is less than 0.05%. Accordingly, the C content is set to 0.05% or more and is preferably set to 0.06% or more. In particular, in order to facilitate achieving the above-described area ratio of pearlite, the C content is preferably set to 0.07% or more. However, if the C content exceeds 0.10%, the toughness of a base metal and the toughness of a weld heat-affected zone may become reduced and weldability may be significantly degraded. Accordingly, the C content is set to 0.10% or less and is preferably set to 0.09% or less. In particular, in order to facilitate achieving the above-described area ratio of pearlite, the C content is preferably set to 0.08% or less. Thus, the C content is limited to 0.05% to 0.10%.

Si: 0.05% to 0.50%

Silicon (Si) is added to a steel as an element that serves as a deoxidizer in a steelmaking process and that ensures certain hardenability. However, the effect may become insufficient if the Si content is less than 0.05%. Accordingly, the Si content is set to 0.05% or more and is preferably set to 0.08% or more. In particular, in order to facilitate achieving the above-described area ratio of pearlite, the Si content is preferably set to 0.10% or more. However, if the Si content exceeds 0.50%, embrittlement of grain boundaries may occur, which leads to a reduction in low-temperature toughness. Accordingly, the Si content is set to 0.50% or less and is preferably set to 0.45% or less. In particular, in order to facilitate achieving the above-described area ratio of pearlite, the Si content is preferably set to 0.40% or less. Thus, the Si content is limited to 0.05% to 0.50%.

Mn: 0.5% to 2.0%

Manganese (Mn) is added to a steel as an element that ensures certain hardenability. However, this effect may become insufficient if the Mn content is less than 0.5%. Accordingly, the Mn content is set to 0.5% or more and is preferably set to 0.8% or more. In particular, in order to facilitate achieving the above-described area ratio of pearlite, the Mn content is preferably set to 1.0% or more. However, a Mn content exceeding 2.0% may reduce grain boundary strength, which leads to a reduction in low-temperature toughness. Accordingly, the Mn content is set to 2.0% or less and is preferably set to 1.8% or less. In particular, in order to facilitate achieving the above-described area ratio of pearlite, the Mn content is preferably set to 1.5% or less. Thus, the Mn content is limited to 0.5% to 2.0%.

Al: 0.01% to 0.10%

Aluminium (Al) is added to a steel as a deoxidizer. Al also forms a fine precipitate of an Al-based nitride, which causes pinning of austenite grains to occur during heating and thereby limits coarsening of the grains. However, these effects may become insufficient if the Al content is less than 0.01%. Accordingly, the Al content is set to 0.01% or more and is preferably set to 0.02% or more. However, an Al content exceeding 0.10% may increase the risk of formation of surface flaws in a steel plate. Accordingly, the Al content is set to 0.10% or less and is preferably set to 0.08% or less. Thus, the Al content is limited to 0.01% to 0.10%.

N: 0.0005% to 0.008%

Nitrogen (N) is added to a steel because it reacts with Nb, Ti, Al, or the like to form a nitride and then forms a fine precipitate, which causes pinning of austenite grains to occur during heating and thereby limits coarsening of the grains. This leads to an increase in low-temperature toughness. However, if the N content is less than 0.0005%, the sizes of microstructures may fail to be reduced to a sufficient degree. Accordingly, the N content is set to 0.0005% or more and is preferably set to 0.002% or more. However, a N content exceeding 0.008% may increase the amount of dissolved N, which reduces the toughness of a base metal and the toughness of a weld heat-affected zone. Accordingly, the N content is set to 0.008% or less and is preferably set to 0.006% or less. Thus, the N content is limited to 0.0005% to 0.008%.

P: 0.05% or Less

Phosphorus (P), which is an impurity element, is likely to segregate at grain boundaries. A P content exceeding 0.05% may reduce the grain boundary strength of adjacent grains, which leads to a reduction in low-temperature toughness. Thus, the P content is limited to 0.05% or less and is preferably set to 0.03% or less.

S: 0.01% or Less

Sulfur (S), which is an impurity element, is likely to segregate at grain boundaries and is likely to form MnS, which is a nonmetallic inclusion. A S content exceeding 0.01% may reduce the grain boundary strength of adjacent grains and increase the amount of inclusion, which leads to a reduction in low-temperature toughness. Thus, the S content is limited to 0.01% or less and is preferably set to 0.005% or less.

O: 0.01% or Less

Oxygen (O) reacts with Al or the like to form an oxide and thereby affects workability of materials. An O content exceeding 0.01% may increase the amount of inclusion and reduce the workability. Thus, the O content is limited to 0.01% or less and is preferably set to 0.006% or less.

In the present invention, the balance of the above-described steel composition is preferably Fe and inevitable impurities in any of the above-described cases: 1) a microstructure includes bainite and ferrite (Invention 1); 2) a microstructure includes martensite and ferrite (Invention 2); and 3) a microstructure includes pearlite and ferrite (Invention 3). Optionally, the components i) and ii) below may be added to a steel alone or in combination appropriately in accordance with desired properties.

i) One or more elements selected from Cu: 0.05% to 1.0%, Ni: 0.05% to 2.0%, Cr: 0.1% to 2.5%, Mo: 0.05% to 2.0%, Nb: 0.005% to 0.1%, V: 0.005% to 0.2%, Ti: 0.005% to 0.1%, W: 0.05% to 2.0%, and B: 0.0005% to 0.005%.

ii) One or more elements selected from Nd: 0.005% to 1.0%, Ca: 0.0005% to 0.005%, Mg: 0.0005% to 0.005%, and REM: 0.0005% to 0.005%.

Cu: 0.05% to 1.0%

Copper (Cu) enhances hardenability. This effect may, become insufficient if the Cu content is less than 0.05%. However, a Cu content exceeding 1.0% may increase the risk of cracking that may occur during hot working when steel slabs are heated or welded. Thus, when Cu is added to a steel, the Cu content is limited to 0.05% or more and 1.0% or less.

Ni: 0.05% to 2.0%

Nickel (Ni) enhances hardenability similarly to Cu and also increases toughness. These effects may become insufficient if the Ni content is less than 0.05%. However, a Ni content exceeding 2.0% may result in poor economy. Thus, when Ni is added to a steel, the Ni content is limited to 0.05% or more and 2.0% or less.

Cr: 0.1% to 2.5%

Chromium (Cr) is added to a steel as an element that ensures certain hardenability. This effect may become insufficient if the Cr content is less than 0.1%. However, a Cr content exceeding 2.5% may deteriorate weldability. Thus, when Cr is added to a steel, the Cr content is limited to 0.1% or more and 2.5% or less.

Mo: 0.05% to 2.0%

Molybdenum (Mo) enhances hardenability. This effect may become insufficient if the Mo content is less than 0.05%. However, a Mo content exceeding 2.0% may results in poor economy. Thus, when Mo is added to a steel, the Mo content is limited to 0.05% or more and 2.0% or less.

Nb: 0.005% to 0.1%

Niobium (Nb) enhances hardenability and forms a fine precipitate of an Nb-based carbonitride, which causes pinning of austenite grains to occur during heating and thereby limits coarsening of the grains. These effects may become insufficient if the Nb content is less than 0.005%. However, an Nb content exceeding 0.1% may reduce the toughness of a weld heat-affected zone. Thus, when Nb is added to a steel, the Nb content is limited to 0.005% or more and 0.1% or less.

V: 0.005% to 0.2%

Vanadium (V) enhances hardenability and forms a fine precipitate of a V-based carbide, which causes pinning of austenite grains to occur during heating and thereby limits coarsening of the grains. These effects may become insufficient if the V content is less than 0.005%. However, a V content exceeding 0.2% may reduce the toughness of a weld heat-affected zone. Thus, when V is added to a steel, the V content is limited to 0.005% or more and 0.2% or less.

Ti: 0.005% to 0.1%

Titanium (Ti) enhances hardenability and forms a fine precipitate of a Ti-based carbonitride, which causes pinning of austenite grains to occur during heating and thereby limits coarsening of the grains. These effects may become insufficient if the Ti content is less than 0.005%. However, a Ti content exceeding 0.1% may reduce the toughness of a weld heat-affected zone. Thus, when Ti is added to a steel, the Ti content is limited to 0.005% or more and 0.1% or less.

W: 0.05% to 2.0%

Tungsten (W) enhances hardenability. This effect may become insufficient if the W content is less than 0.05%. However, a W content exceeding 2.0% may deteriorate weldability. Thus, when W is added to a steel, the W content is limited to 0.05% or more and 2.0% or less.

B: 0.0005% to 0.005%

Boron (B) is added to a steel as an element that ensures certain hardenability. This effect may become insufficient if the B content is less than 0.0005%. However, a B content exceeding 0.005% may reduce toughness. Thus, when B is added to a steel, the B content is limited to 0.0005% or more and 0.005% or less.

Nd: 0.005% to 1.0%

Neodymium (Nd) incorporates S as an inclusion, which reduces the amount of S that segregates at grain boundaries and thereby enhances low-temperature toughness and hydrogen embrittlement resistance. This effect may become insufficient if the Nd content is less than 0.005%. However, an Nd content exceeding 1.0% may reduce the toughness of a weld heat-affected zone. Thus, when Nd is added to a steel, the Nd content is limited to 0.005% or more and 1.0% or less.

Ca: 0.0005% to 0.005%

Calcium (Ca) forms CaS, which causes the form of a sulfide-based inclusion to change from MnS, which is an inclusion that is likely to be extended by rolling, into CaS, which is a spherical inclusion that is less likely to be extended by rolling. This effect may become insufficient if the Ca content is less than 0.0005%. However, a Ca content exceeding 0.005% may deteriorate cleanliness, which results in degradation of material properties such as toughness. Thus, when Ca is added to a steel, the Ca content is limited to 0.0005% or more and 0.005% or less.

Mg: 0.0005% to 0.005%

Magnesium (Mg) may be used as a hot-metal desulphurization agent. This effect may become insufficient if the Mg content is less than 0.0005%. However, a Mg content exceeding 0.005% may deteriorate cleanliness. Thus, when Mg is added to a steel, the Mg content is limited to 0.0005% or more and 0.005% or less.

REM: 0.0005% to 0.005%

REM forms a sulfide in a steel in the form of REM(O,S) and thereby reduces the amount of S dissolved at grain boundaries, which enhances resistance to stress-relief cracking. This effect may become insufficient if the REM content is less than 0.0005%. However, a REM content exceeding 0.005% may cause a REM sulfide to significantly accumulate at a sedimental zone, which leads to degradation of material properties. Thus, when REM is added to a steel, the REM content is limited to 0.0005% or more and 0.005% or less. Note that REM is the abbreviation for rare earth metal.

The steel structure for hydrogen gas according to the present invention has the above-described steel microstructure and preferably has the above-described composition. There are no particular limitations on a method for producing the steel structure for hydrogen gas. A preferable method for producing the steel structure for hydrogen gas according to the present invention is described below taking a hydrogen line pipe and a hydrogen storage tank as examples of the steel structure for hydrogen gas according to the present invention. The steel structure for hydrogen gas according to the present invention may be a steel structure for hydrogen gas that is any of various steel materials such as a thin sheet, a thick plate, a pipe, a shaped steel, and a steel bar which have the above-described steel microstructure, preferably have the above-described composition, and have high resistance to fatigue crack propagation in high-pressure hydrogen gas. Alternatively, the steel structure for hydrogen gas according to the present invention may also be a steel structure for hydrogen gas produced by forming any of the above-described steel materials having high resistance to fatigue crack propagation in high-pressure hydrogen gas into a predetermined shape.

The temperatures specified in the production conditions are measured at the center of a steel material, that is, specifically, the center of the steel material in the thickness direction for a thin sheet, a thick plate, a pipe, and a profile and the center of the steel material in the radial direction for a steel bar. However, the portion at which the temperature is measured is not limited to the exact center of the steel material because any portion in the vicinity of the center of the steel material has the substantially similar temperature history.

The hydrogen line pipe, which is the steel structure for hydrogen gas according to the present invention, can be produced by, for example, hot rolling a steel and subsequently performing either accelerated cooling or direct quenching and tempering.

Steel Material

A steel material used for producing the hydrogen line pipe according to the present invention is produced by casting molten steel having any of the above-described compositions (Inventions 1 to 3). It is not necessary to particularly limit the casting conditions. Various steel materials produced under different casting conditions may be used. A method for producing a cast slab from molten steel and a method for producing a steel slab by hot rolling the cast slab are not particularly specified. Steel materials produced by a converter steelmaking process, an electric steelmaking process, or the like and steel slabs produced by continuous casting, ingot casting, or the like can be used.

Production by Accelerated Cooling

The above-described steel materials is heated to the Ac₃ transformation temperature or more and hot-rolled to a predetermined thickness. Subsequently, accelerated cooling from the Ar₃ transformation temperature or more to 600° C. or less at a cooling rate of 1° C./sec. to 200° C./sec. is performed by water cooling or the like. If the heating temperature is less than the Ac₃ transformation temperature, a portion of non-transformed austenite may remain, which results in failure to form a desired steel microstructure after hot rolling and accelerated cooling. Thus, the temperature to which heating is performed before hot rolling is set to the Ac₃ transformation temperature or more. The heating temperature is more preferably set to (Ac₃+50)° C. or more. The heating temperature is preferably set to 1250° C. or less in order to prevent an excessive increase in the diameters of initial austenite grains from occurring and increase the production efficiency. If the temperature at which cooling is started after hot rolling is less than the Ar₃ transformation temperature, transformation of a portion of austenite may occur before cooling is started, which results in failure to forming a desired steel microstructure after accelerated cooling. Thus, cooling is started at the Ar₃ transformation temperature or more after hot rolling. Cooling is preferably started at (Ar₃+50)° C. or more. The temperature at which cooling is started is preferably set to 1000° C. or less in consideration of hot rolling. The rate at which cooling is performed from the Ar₃ transformation temperature or more is set to 1° C./sec. or more and 200° C./sec. or less in order to form a desired microstructure. The cooling rate is an average cooling rate measured at the center of the steel plate in the thickness direction. The cooling rate is preferably set to 5° C./sec. or more and less than 20° C./sec. in order to consistently form a steel microstructure including 10% to 95% of bainite on an area-ratio basis with the balance being substantially ferrite. The cooling rate is preferably set to 20° C./sec. or more and 200° C./sec. or less in order to consistently form a steel microstructure including 10% to 95% of martensite on an area-ratio basis with the balance being substantially ferrite. The cooling rate is preferably set to 1° C./sec. or more and less than 5° C./sec. in order to consistently form a steel microstructure including 10% to 95% of pearlite on an area-ratio basis with the balance being substantially ferrite. There are no particular limitations on cooling means. For example, water cooling may be performed. If cooling is stopped at a temperature exceeding 600° C., desired transformation may fail to be completed, which results in failure to form a desired steel microstructure. Thus, accelerated cooling is performed until the temperature reaches 600° C. or less and is preferably performed until the temperature reaches 550° C. or less. The temperature at which cooling is stopped is preferably set to 300° C. or more in consideration of transformation behavior.

Direct Quenching and Tempering

The above-described steel material is heated to the Ac₃ transformation temperature or more and then hot-rolled. Subsequently, quenching is performed from the Ar₃ transformation temperature or more to 250° C. or less at a cooling rate of 1° C./sec. to 200° C./sec, and then tempering is performed at the Ac₁ transformation temperature or less. If the heating temperature is less than the Ac₃ transformation temperature, a portion of non-transformed austenite may remain, which results in failure to form a desired steel microstructure after hot rolling, quenching, and tempering. Thus, the temperature to which heating is performed before hot rolling is set to the Ac₃ transformation temperature or more and is preferably set to (Ac₃+50)° C. or more. The heating temperature is preferably set to 1250° C. or less in order to prevent an excessive increase in the diameters of initial austenite grains from occurring and increase the production efficiency. If the temperature at which quenching is started after hot rolling is less than the Ar₃ transformation temperature, transformation of a portion of austenite may occur before quenching is started, which results in failure to forming a desired steel microstructure after quenching and tempering. Thus, quenching is performed by starting cooling at the Ar₃ transformation temperature or more after hot rolling. Cooling is preferably started at (Ar₃+50)° C. or more. The temperature at which quenching is started is preferably set to 1000° C. or less in consideration of hot rolling. The cooling rate at which quenching is performed from the Ar₃ transformation temperature or more is set to 1° C./sec. or more and 200° C./sec. or less in order to form a desired microstructure. The cooling rate is an average cooling rate measured at the center of the steel plate in the thickness direction. The cooling rate is preferably set to 5° C./sec. or more and less than 20° C./sec. in order to consistently form a steel microstructure including 10% to 95% of bainite on an area-ratio basis with the balance being substantially ferrite. The cooling rate is preferably set to 20° C./sec. or more and 200° C./sec. or less in order to consistently form a steel microstructure including 10% to 95% of martensite on an area-ratio basis with the balance being substantially ferrite. The cooling rate is preferably set to 1° C./sec. or more and less than 5° C./sec. in order to consistently form a steel microstructure including 10% to 95% of pearlite on an area-ratio basis with the balance being substantially ferrite. There are no particular limitations on cooling means. For example, water cooling may be performed. If quenching is stopped at a temperature exceeding 250° C., desired transformation may fail to be completed, which results in failure to form a desired steel microstructure after tempering. Thus, quenching is performed until the temperature reaches 250° C. or less and is preferably performed until the temperature reaches 200° C. or less. The temperature at which quenching is stopped is preferably set to 100° C. or more in order to increase production efficiency. After quenching, tempering is performed at the Ac₁ transformation temperature or less. If the tempering temperature exceeds the Ac₁ transformation temperature, a portion of the microstructure may be transformed into austenite, which results in failure to form a desired steel microstructure after tempering. Tempering is preferably performed at (Ac₁—20)° C. or less. The tempering temperature is preferably set to 300° C. or more, for example, in order to recover toughness and the like.

The hydrogen storage tank, which is the steel structure for hydrogen gas according to the present invention, can be produced by, for example, forming a steel material having a predetermined composition into a predetermined shape, that is, the shape of a desired hydrogen storage tank, and subsequently performing reheating, quenching, and tempering.

Reheating, Quenching, and Tempering

A steel material having the above-described composition is formed into a predetermined shape, and subsequently heating to the Ac₃ transformation temperature or more, quenching from the Ar₃ transformation temperature or more to 250° C. or less at a cooling rate of 0.5° C./sec. to 100° C./sec, and tempering at the Ac₁ transformation temperature or less are performed. The steel material that is to be heated to the Ac₃ transformation temperature or more may have any composition corresponding to the steel microstructure of a desired hydrogen storage tank, and it is not necessary to particularly specify the steel microstructure of the steel material. If the temperature to which heating is performed after the steel material is formed into a predetermined shape is less than the Ac₃ transformation temperature, a portion of non-transformed austenite may remain, which results in failure to form a desired steel microstructure after hot rolling, quenching, and tempering. Thus, the heating temperature is set to the Ac₃ transformation temperature or more and is preferably set to (Ac₃+50)° C. or more. The heating temperature is preferably set to 1250° C. or less in order to prevent an excessive increase in the diameters of initial austenite grains from occurring and increase the production efficiency. If the temperature at which quenching is started after heating is less than the Ar₃ transformation temperature, transformation of a portion of austenite may occur before quenching is started, which results in failure to forming a desired steel microstructure after quenching and tempering. Thus, quenching is performed by starting cooling at the Ar₃ transformation temperature or more after heating. Cooling is preferably started at (Ar₃+50)° C. or more. The temperature at which quenching is started is preferably set to 1000° C. or less in consideration of hot rolling. The cooling rate at which quenching is performed from the Ar₃ transformation temperature or more is set to 0.5° C./sec. or more and 100° C./sec. or less in order to form a desired microstructure and prevent quench cracking from occurring. The cooling rate is an average cooling rate measured at the center of the steel plate (i.e., wall of the storage tank) in the thickness (i.e., wall thickness) direction. The cooling rate is preferably set to 5° C./sec. or more and less than 20° C./sec. in order to consistently form a steel microstructure including 10% to 95% of bainite on an area-ratio basis with the balance being substantially ferrite. The cooling rate is preferably set to 20° C./sec. or more and 100° C./sec. or less in order to consistently form a steel microstructure including 10% to 95% of martensite on an area-ratio basis with the balance being substantially ferrite. The cooling rate is preferably set to 0.5° C./sec. or more and less than 5° C./sec. in order to consistently form a steel microstructure including 10% to 95% of pearlite on an area-ratio basis with the balance being substantially ferrite. There are no particular limitations on cooling means. For example, oil cooling or water cooling may be performed. If quenching, that is, cooling, is stopped at a temperature exceeding 250° C., desired transformation may fail to be completed, which results in failure to form a desired steel microstructure after tempering. Thus, quenching is performed until the temperature reaches 250° C. or less and is preferably performed until the temperature reaches 200° C. or less. The temperature at which quenching is stopped is preferably set to 100° C. or less in order to increase production efficiency. After quenching, tempering is performed at the Ac₁ transformation temperature or less. If the tempering temperature exceeds the Ac₁ transformation temperature, a portion of the microstructure may be transformed into austenite, which results in failure to form a desired steel microstructure after tempering. The tempering temperature is preferably set to (Ac₁—20)° C. or less. The tempering temperature is preferably set to 300° C. or more, for example, in order to recover toughness and the like.

Although a method for determining the Ac₃ transformation temperature (° C.), the Ar₃ transformation temperature (° C.), and the Ac₁ transformation temperature (° C.) is not particularly specified in the present invention, for example, these transformation temperatures can be calculated using the following equations: Ac₃=854−180C+44Si−14Mn−17.8Ni−1.7Cr; Ar₃=910−310C−80Mn−20Cu−15Cr−55Ni−80Mo; and Ac₁=723−14Mn+22Si−14.4Ni+23.3Cr, where the symbols of elements represent the contents (% by mass) of respective elements in a steel material.

The hydrogen line pipe and hydrogen storage tank, which are the steel structure for hydrogen gas, having a steel microstructure including a predetermined amount of bainite with the balance being substantially ferrite (Invention 1), a steel microstructure including a predetermined amount of martensite with the balance being substantially ferrite (Invention 2), or a steel microstructure including a predetermined amount of pearlite with the balance being substantially ferrite (Invention 3) can be produced under the above-described conditions.

Example 1 Invention 1

An example in which the advantageous effects of the present invention, that is, specifically, a steel structure for hydrogen gas which has a steel microstructure including bainite with the balance being substantially ferrite (Invention 1), were verified is described below. In this example, a method for producing a steel plate was studied in order to simulate the method for producing a hydrogen line pipe or a method for producing a hydrogen storage tank, and property evaluations of a steel plate were performed in order to simulate the property evaluations of the hydrogen line pipe or the hydrogen storage tank. Specifically, in the case where the production method was accelerated cooling or direct quenching and tempering, production of the hydrogen line pipe was simulated, and, in the case where reheating, quenching, and tempering were performed, production of the hydrogen storage tank was simulated.

Steels BA to BH having the respective chemical compositions shown in Table 1 (Tables 1-1 and 1-2) were each molten and cast into a slab. Some of the slabs were heated to the respective heating temperatures shown in Table 2 and then hot-rolled. The hot-rolled steels were subjected to accelerated cooling (Steel plate Nos. B1 and B4) or direct quenching and tempering (Steel plate Nos. B2 and B5) by performing water cooling under the respective conditions shown in Table 2 to prepare steel plates. The other slabs were, after casting, temporarily formed into steel plates, which were then quenched by water cooling or oil cooling under the respective conditions shown in Table 2 to prepare steel plates (Steel plate Nos. B3 and B6 to B15). That is, reheating, quenching, and tempering were performed. The temperature of each steel plate was measured using a thermocouple placed into the center of the steel plate in the thickness direction. The cooling rates shown in Table 2, at which water cooling or oil cooling was performed, were 5° C./sec. or more and less than 20° C./sec.

Table 2 summarizes the bainite area ratio, tensile strength, and fatigue crack propagation rate (m/cycle) in 90-MPa high-pressure hydrogen gas at a stress intensity factor range of 25 MPa·m^(1/2) of each steel plate. A material test and evaluation of material properties were conducted in the following manner. In the steel plates shown in Table 2, microstructures other than bainite were principally ferrite, and the total area ratio of microstructures other than bainite or ferrite was 2% or less. The targeted fatigue crack propagation rate was 1.0×10⁻⁶ (m/cycle) or less, and it was considered that the steel plate had high hydrogen embrittlement resistance when the targeted rate was achieved.

(a) Microstructure of Steel Plate

A microstructure was caused to appear by performing 3% nital etching. An optical microscope image of a cross section of each steel plate which is parallel to the rolling direction was captured at the ¼-thickness position at an appropriate magnification of 200 to 400 times. Microstructures were visually distinguished, and the area ratios of the microstructures were determined by an image analysis.

(b) Tensile Properties

A tensile test conforming to JIS 22241 was conducted using full-thickness tensile test specimens described in JIS Z2201 (1980), which were taken so that the longitudinal direction (tensile direction) of each specimen was parallel to the rolling direction, in order to make an evaluation.

(c) Fatigue Crack Propagation Test

A fatigue crack propagation characteristic was examined in the following manner. Compact tension specimens (CT specimen) conforming to ASTM E 647 were taken from the respective steel plates so that the loading direction was parallel to the rolling direction. The lengths of fatigue cracks formed in each specimen were measured by a compliance method using a clip gage, and thereby a fatigue crack propagation rate in 90-MPa high-pressure hydrogen gas was determined. The test specimens were prepared by, when the thickness of the steel plate was 10 mm or less, grinding the both surfaces of the steel plate by 0.5 mm so that test specimens having thicknesses of 2 mm, 5 mm, 8 mm, and 9 mm were prepared. When the thickness of the steel plate was other than the above-described thickness, that is, more than 10 mm, a test specimen having a thickness of 10 mm was taken at the t/2 (t: plate thickness) position. Both sides of each test specimen were subjected to mirror polishing. A fatigue crack propagation rate (m/cycle) at a stress intensity factor range ΔK of 25 (MPa·m¹¹²), which is a stable growth region in which Paris' law holds, was used as a representative value for evaluation. The targeted fatigue crack propagation rate was 1.0×10⁻⁶ (m/cycle) or less.

Steel plate Nos. B1 to B6, B8, B11, and B14 shown in Table 2, which satisfy all of the requirements for chemical composition and production conditions according to the present invention, had a dual-phase microstructure primarily composed of ferrite and bainite, and the area ratio of bainite fell within the range of the present invention. As summarized in Table 2, these steel plates had a fatigue crack propagation rate of 1.0×10⁻⁶ (m/cycle) or less, which confirms that these steel plates had high hydrogen embrittlement resistance in high-pressure hydrogen gas.

On the other hand, in Steel plate No. B7, where the heating temperature was lower than the lower limit of the range of the present invention (i.e., Ac₃), both the targeted bainite area ratio and the targeted fatigue crack propagation rate were not achieved. In Steel plate Nos. B9 and B12, where the cooling start temperature (i.e., temperature at which water cooling or oil cooling was started) was lower than the lower limit of the range of the present invention (i.e., Ar₃), that is, out of the range of the present invention, both the targeted bainite area ratio and the targeted fatigue crack propagation rate were not achieved. In Steel plate Nos. B10 and B13, where the cooling stop temperature (i.e., temperature at which water cooling or oil cooling was stopped) was higher than the upper limit of the range of the present invention (i.e., 250° C.), that is, out of the range of the present invention, both the targeted bainite area ratio and the targeted fatigue crack propagation rate were not achieved. In Steel plate No. B15, where the tempering temperature was higher than the upper limit of the range of the present invention (i.e., Ac₁), that is, out of the range of the present invention, both the desired bainite area ratio and the desired fatigue crack propagation rate were not achieved. However, Steel plate Nos. B7, B9, B10, B12, B13, and B15, which are shown as comparative examples, also had a dual-phase microstructure primarily composed of ferrite and bainite.

As is clear from the above-described results, in Invention examples, the fatigue crack propagation rate was 1.0×10⁻⁶ (m/cycle) or less and a good hydrogen embrittlement characteristic was achieved. This confirms that a steel structure for hydrogen gas such as a hydrogen storage tank or a hydrogen line pipe which has high hydrogen embrittlement resistance can be produced.

TABLE 1-1 Steel Composition (mass %) type C Si Mn Al N P S O BA 0.05 0.17 0.67 0.031 0.0032 0.008 0.0032 0.0032 BB 0.07 0.25 1.01 0.035 0.0036 0.015 0.0041 0.0052 BC 0.05 0.19 0.72 0.027 0.0033 0.009 0.0015 0.0029 BD 0.06 0.31 0.88 0.031 0.0035 0.005 0.0011 0.0033 BE 0.08 0.21 0.59 0.034 0.0038 0.007 0.0024 0.0035 BE 0.12 0.31 0.72 0.063 0.0031 0.004 0.0013 0.0042 BG 0.15 0.42 1.12 0.030 0.0035 0.012 0.0008 0.0028 BH 0.19 0.45 1.71 0.063 0.0036 0.018 0.0023 0.0042

TABLE 1-2 Steel Composition (mass %) Ac₃ Ar₃ Ac₁ type Cu Ni Cr Mo Nb V Ti B Nd W Ca Mg REM (° C.) (° C.) (° C.) BA — — — — — — — — — — — — — 843 841 717 BB — — — — — — — — — — — — — 838 808 714 BC — — 0.77 — 0.018 — 0.012 — — — — — — 842 825 735 BD — — 0.52 0.12 — 0.047 0.011 — — — — — — 844 804 730 BE — — 0.86 0.47 0.028 0.038 0.007 — — — — — — 839 788 739 BF — — 0.79 0.26 0.016 0.052 — — — — — — — 835 783 738 BG 0.71 1.15 0.63 0.35 0.022 0.028 0.012 — — — — — — 808 659 715 BH — — 1.52 0.51 0.024 0.064 0.015 0.0008 0.011 0.08 0.0006 0.0005 0.0007 813 651 744 Note 1: Ac₃ (° C.) = 854 − 180C + 44Si − 14Mn − 17.8Ni − 1.7Cr, where the symbols of elements represent the contents (mass %) of the respective elements. Note 2: Ar₃ (° C.) = 910 − 310C − 80Mn − 20Cu − 15Cr − 55Ni − 80Mo, where the symbols of elements represent the contents (mass %) of the respective elements. Note 3: Ac₁ (° C.) = 723 − 14Mn + 22Si − 14.4Ni + 23.3Cr, where the symbols of elements represent the contents (mass %) of the respective elements.

TABLE 2 Water- Water- Oil-cooling Steel Heating cooling start cooling stop start plate Steel Thickness temperature temperature temperature temperature No. type (mm) Production method (° C.) (° C.) (° C.) (° C.) B1 BA 3 Accelerated cooling 1100  900 550 — B2 BB 6 Direct quenching and 1100  900 200 — tempering B3 BB 6 Reheating, quenching, 920 850 200 — and tempering B4 BC 9 Accelerated cooling 1100  850 500 — B5 BD 10 Direct quenching and 1100  850 200 — tempering B6 BE 12 Reheating, quenching, 920 850 200 — and tempering B7 BE 12 Reheating, quenching, 750 850 200 — and tempering B8 BF 25 Reheating, quenching, 920 850 200 — and tempering B9 BF 25 Reheating, quenching, 920 650 200 — and tempering B10 BF 25 Reheating, quenching, 920 850 400 — and tempering B11 BG 25 Reheating, quenching, 920 — — 850 and tempering B12 BG 25 Reheating, quenching, 920 — — 600 and tempering B13 BG 25 Reheating, quenching, 920 — — 850 and tempering B14 BH 32 Reheating, quenching, 920 — — 850 and tempering B15 BH 32 Reheating, quenching, 920 — — 850 and tempering Oil-cooling Bainite Fatigue crack Steel stop Tempering area Tensile propagation plate temperature temperature ratio strength rate No. (° C.) (° C.) (%) (MPa) (m/cycle) Remark B1 — — 14 338 0.02 × 10⁻⁶ Invention example B2 — 650 23 354 0.03 × 10⁻⁶ Invention example B3 — 650 17 341 0.02 × 10⁻⁶ Invention example B4 — — 15 363 0.03 × 10⁻⁶ Invention example B5 — 650 26 452 0.09 × 10⁻⁶ Invention example B6 — 650 23 666 0.17 × 10⁻⁶ Invention example B7 — 650  8 589 1.15 × 10⁻⁶ Comparative example B8 — 650 31 667 0.31 × 10⁻⁶ Invention example B9 — 650  7 555 1.17 × 10⁻⁶ Comparative example B10 — 650  9 576 1.16 × 10⁻⁶ Comparative example B11 150 650 51 703 0.33 × 10⁻⁶ Invention example B12 150 650  9 651 1.77 × 10⁻⁶ Comparative example B13 400 650  7 671 2.03 × 10⁻⁶ Comparative example B14 150 650 32 921 0.51 × 10⁻⁶ Invention example B15 150 800  6 812 2.23 × 10⁻⁶ Comparative example Note 1: The underlines indicate that the values are out of the range of the present invention.

Example 2 Invention 2

An example in which the advantageous effects of the present invention, that is, specifically, a steel structure for hydrogen gas which has a steel microstructure including martensite with the balance being substantially ferrite (Invention 2), were verified is described below. In this example, as in Example 1, a method for producing a steel plate was studied in order to simulate the method for producing a hydrogen line pipe or a method for producing a hydrogen storage tank, and property evaluations of a steel plate were performed in order to simulate the property evaluations of the hydrogen line pipe or the hydrogen storage tank. Specifically, in the case where the production method was accelerated cooling or direct quenching and tempering, production of the hydrogen line pipe was simulated, and, in the case where reheating, quenching, and tempering were performed, production of the hydrogen storage tank was simulated.

Steels MA to MH having the respective chemical compositions shown in Table 3 (Tables 3-1 and 3-2) were each molten and cast into a slab. Some of the slabs were heated to the respective heating temperatures shown in Table 4 and then hot-rolled. The hot-rolled steels were subjected to accelerated cooling (Steel plate Nos. M1 and M4) or direct quenching and tempering (Steel plate Nos. M2 and M5) by performing water cooling under the respective conditions shown in Table 4 to prepare steel plates. The other slabs were, after casting, temporarily formed into steel plates, which were then quenched by water cooling or oil cooling under the respective conditions shown in Table 4 to prepare steel plates (Steel plate Nos. M3 and M6 to M15). That is, reheating, quenching, and tempering were performed. The temperature of each steel plate was measured using a thermocouple placed into the center of the steel plate in the thickness direction. The cooling rates shown in Table 4, at which water cooling or oil cooling was performed, were 20° C./sec. or more and 200° C./sec. or less. In particular, in the case where reheating, quenching, and tempering were performed, the cooling rate was set to 20° C./sec. or more and 100° C./sec. or less both for water cooling and oil cooling.

Table 4 summarizes the martensite area ratio, tensile strength, and fatigue crack propagation rate (m/cycle) in 90-MPa high-pressure hydrogen gas at a stress intensity factor range of 25 MPa·m^(1/2) of each steel plate. A material test and evaluation of material properties were conducted as in Example 1 in the following manner. In the steel plates shown in Table 4, microstructures other than martensite were principally ferrite, and the total area ratio of microstructures other than martensite or ferrite was 2% or less. The targeted fatigue crack propagation rate was 1.0×10⁻⁶ (m/cycle) or less, and it was considered that the steel plate had high hydrogen embrittlement resistance when the targeted rate was achieved.

(a) Microstructure of Steel Plate

A microstructure was caused to appear by performing 3% nital etching. An optical microscope image of a cross section of each steel plate which is parallel to the rolling direction was captured at the ¼-thickness position at an appropriate magnification of 200 to 400 times. Microstructures were visually distinguished, and the area ratios of the microstructures were determined by an image analysis.

(b) Tensile Properties

A tensile test conforming to JIS 22241 was conducted using full-thickness tensile test specimens described in JIS Z2201 (1980), which were taken so that the longitudinal direction (tensile direction) of each specimen was parallel to the rolling direction, in order to make an evaluation.

(c) Fatigue Crack Propagation Test

A fatigue crack propagation characteristic was examined in the following manner. Compact tension specimens conforming to ASTM E 647 were taken from the respective steel plates so that the loading direction was parallel to the rolling direction. The lengths of fatigue cracks formed in each specimen were measured by a compliance method using a clip gage, and thereby a fatigue crack propagation rate in 90-MPa high-pressure hydrogen gas was determined. The test specimens were prepared by, when the thickness of the steel plate was 10 mm or less, grinding the both surfaces of the steel plate by 0.5 mm so that test specimens having thicknesses of 2 mm, 5 mm, 8 mm, and 9 mm were prepared. When the thickness of the steel plate was other than the above-described thickness, that is, more than 10 mm, a test specimen having a thickness of 10 mm was taken at the t/2 (t: plate thickness) position. Both sides of each test specimen were subjected to mirror polishing. A fatigue crack propagation rate (m/cycle) at a stress intensity factor range ΔK of 25 (MPa·m¹¹²), which is a stable growth region in which Paris' law holds, was used as a representative value for evaluation. The targeted fatigue crack propagation rate was 1.0×10⁻⁶ (m/cycle) or less.

Steel plate Nos. M1 to M6, M8, M11, and M14 shown in Table 4, which satisfy all of the requirements for chemical composition and production conditions according to the present invention, had a dual-phase microstructure primarily composed of ferrite and martensite, and the area ratio of martensite fell within the range of the present invention. As summarized in Table 4, these steel plates had a fatigue crack propagation rate of 1.0×10⁻⁶ (m/cycle) or less, which confirms that these steel plates had high hydrogen embrittlement resistance in high-pressure hydrogen gas.

On the other hand, in Steel plate No. M7, where the heating temperature was lower than the lower limit of the range of the present invention (i.e., Ac₃), both the targeted martensite area ratio and the targeted fatigue crack propagation rate were not achieved. In Steel plate Nos. M9 and M12, where the cooling start temperature (i.e., temperature at which water cooling or oil cooling was started) was lower than the lower limit of the range of the present invention (i.e., Ar₃), that is, out of the range of the present invention, both the targeted martensite area ratio and the targeted fatigue crack propagation rate were not achieved. In Steel plate Nos. M10 and M13, where the cooling stop temperature (i.e., temperature at which water cooling or oil cooling was stopped) was higher than the upper limit of the range of the present invention (i.e., 250° C.), that is, out of the range of the present invention, both the targeted martensite area ratio and the targeted fatigue crack propagation rate were not achieved. In Steel plate No. M15, where the tempering temperature was higher than the upper limit of the range of the present invention (i.e., Ac₁), that is, out of the range of the present invention, both the desired martensite area ratio and the desired fatigue crack propagation rate were not achieved. However, Steel plate Nos. M7, M9, M10, M12, M13, and M15, which are shown as comparative examples, also had a dual-phase microstructure primarily composed of ferrite and martensite.

As is clear from the above-described results, in Invention examples, the fatigue crack propagation rate was 1.0×10⁻⁶ (m/cycle) or less and a good hydrogen embrittlement characteristic was achieved. This confirms that a steel structure for hydrogen gas such as a hydrogen storage tank or a hydrogen line pipe which has high hydrogen embrittlement resistance can be produced.

TABLE 3-1 Steel Composition (mass %) type C Si Mn Al N P S O MA 0.05 0.24 0.97 0.031 0.0034 0.021 0.0011 0.0038 MB 0.08 0.35 1.51 0.033 0.0041 0.017 0.0007 0.0041 MC 0.10 0.21 0.69 0.026 0.0035 0.010 0.0016 0.0032 MD 0.12 0.32 0.87 0.030 0.0036 0.006 0.0012 0.0031 ME 0.15 0.22 0.58 0.033 0.0039 0.008 0.0026 0.0032 MF 0.19 0.36 0.78 0.062 0.0030 0.006 0.0011 0.0040 MG 0.21 0.41 1.15 0.056 0.0033 0.012 0.0007 0.0026 MH 0.33 0.46 1.89 0.067 0.0035 0.017 0.0018 0.0044

TABLE 3-2 Steel Composition (mass %) Ac₃ Ar₃ Ac₁ type Cu Ni Cr Mo Nb V Ti B Nd W Ca Mg REM (° C.) (° C.) (° C.) MA — — — — — — — — — — — — — 842 817 715 MB — — — — — — — — — — — — — 834 764 710 MC — — 0.75 — 0.019 — 0.014 0.0009 — — — — — 834 813 735 MD — — 0.51 0.15 0.023 — 0.012 0.0011 — — — — — 833 784 730 ME — — 0.87 0.55 0.032 0.041 0.008 — — — — — — 827 760 740 MF — — 0.77 0.32 0.018 0.055 — — — — — — — 823 752 738 MG 0.51 1.28 0.61 0.41 0.020 0.042 0.013 0.0012 — — — — — 794 630 712 MH — — 2.12 0.68 0.023 0.082 0.016 0.0009 0.016 0.12 0.0008 0.0006 0.0005 785 570 756 Note 1: Ac₃ (° C.) = 854 − 180C + 44Si − 14Mn − 17.8Ni − 1.7Cr, where the symbols of elements represent the contents (mass %) of the respective elements. Note 2: Ar₃ (° C.) = 910 − 310C − 80Mn − 20Cu − 15Cr − 55Ni − 80Mo, where the symbols of elements represent the contents (mass %) of the respective elements. Note 3: Ac₁ (° C.) = 723 − 14Mn + 22Si − 14.4Ni + 23.3Cr, where the symbols of elements represent the contents (mass %) of the respective elements.

TABLE 4 Water-cooling Water- Oil-cooling Steel Heating start cooling stop start plate Steel Thickness temperature temperature temperature temperature No. type (mm) Production method (° C.) (° C.) (° C.) (° C.) M1 MA 3 Accelerated cooling 1100  900 550 — M2 MB 6 Direct quenching and 1100  900 200 — tempering M3 MB 6 Reheating, quenching, 920 850 200 — and tempering M4 MC 9 Accelerated cooling 1100  850 500 — M5 MD 10 Direct quenching and 1100  850 200 — tempering M6 ME 12 Reheating, quenching, 920 850 200 — and tempering M7 ME 12 Reheating, quenching, 750 850 200 — and tempering M8 MF 25 Reheating, quenching, 920 850 200 — and tempering M9 MF 25 Reheating, quenching, 920 650 200 — and tempering M10 MF 25 Reheating, quenching, 920 850 400 — and tempering M11 MG 25 Reheating, quenching, 920 — — 850 and tempering M12 MG 25 Reheating, quenching, 920 — — 600 and tempering M13 MG 25 Reheating, quenching, 920 — — 850 and tempering M14 MH 32 Reheating, quenching, 920 — — 850 and tempering M15 MH 32 Reheating, quenching, 920 — — 850 and tempering Oil-cooling Fatigue crack Steel stop Tempering Martensite Tensile propagation plate temperature temperature area ratio strength rate No. (° C.) (° C.) (%) (MPa) (m/cycle) Remark M1 — — 15 417 0.06 × 10⁻⁶ Invention example M2 — 650 21 442 0.08 × 10⁻⁶ Invention example M3 — 650 17 431 0.07 × 10⁻⁶ Invention example M4 — — 12 451 0.09 × 10⁻⁶ Invention example M5 — 650 23 546 0.12 × 10⁻⁶ Invention example M6 — 650 21 731 0.23 × 10⁻⁶ Invention example M7 — 650  6 661 1.20 × 10⁻⁶ Comparative example M8 — 650 27 758 0.46 × 10⁻⁶ Invention example M9 — 650  5 651 1.31 × 10⁻⁶ Comparative example M10 — 650  3 666 1.23 × 10⁻⁶ Comparative example M11 150 650 37 791 0.56 × 10⁻⁶ Invention example M12 150 650  7 732 1.92 × 10⁻⁶ Comparative example M13 400 650  5 751 2.22 × 10⁻⁶ Comparative example M14 150 650 21 998 0.68 × 10⁻⁶ Invention example M15 150 800  5 874 4.89 × 10⁻⁶ Comparative example Note 1: The underlines indicate that the values are out of the range of the present invention.

Example 3 Invention 3

An example in which the advantageous effects of the present invention, that is, specifically, a steel structure for hydrogen gas which has a steel microstructure including pearlite with the balance being substantially ferrite (Invention 3), were verified is described below. In this example, as in Example 1, a method for producing a steel plate was studied in order to simulate the method for producing a hydrogen line pipe or a method for producing a hydrogen storage tank, and property evaluations of a steel plate were performed in order to simulate the property evaluations of the hydrogen line pipe or the hydrogen storage tank. Specifically, in the case where the production method was accelerated cooling or direct quenching and tempering, production of the hydrogen line pipe was simulated, and, in the case where reheating, quenching, and tempering were performed, production of the hydrogen storage tank was simulated.

Steels PA to PH having the respective chemical compositions shown in Table 5 (Tables 5-1 and 5-2) were each molten and cast into a slab. Some of the slabs were heated to the respective heating temperatures shown in Table 6 and then hot-rolled. The hot-rolled steels were subjected to accelerated cooling (Steel plate Nos. P1 and P4) or direct quenching and tempering (Steel plate Nos. P2 and P5) by performing water cooling under the respective conditions shown in Table 6 to prepare steel plates. The other slabs were, after casting, temporarily formed into steel plates, which were then quenched by water cooling or oil cooling under the respective conditions shown in Table 6 to prepare steel plates (Steel plate Nos. P3 and P6 to P15). That is, reheating, quenching, and tempering were performed. The temperature of each steel plate was measured using a thermocouple placed into the center of the steel plate in the thickness direction. The cooling rates shown in Table 6, at which water cooling or oil cooling was performed, were set to 1° C./sec. or more and less than 5° C./sec. in the case where accelerated cooling was performed and in the case where direct quenching and tempering were performed. In the case where reheating, quenching, and tempering were performed, the cooling rate was set to 0.5° C./sec. or more and less than 5° C./sec.

Table 6 summarizes the pearlite area ratio, tensile strength, and fatigue crack propagation rate (m/cycle) in 90-MPa high-pressure hydrogen gas at a stress intensity factor range of 25 MPa·m^(1/2) of each steel plate. A material test and evaluation of material properties were conducted as in Example 1 in the following manner. In the steel plates shown in Table 6, microstructures other than pearlite were principally ferrite, and the total area ratio of microstructures other than pearlite or ferrite was 2% or less. The targeted fatigue crack propagation rate was 1.0×10⁻⁶ (m/cycle) or less, and it was considered that the steel plate had high hydrogen embrittlement resistance when the targeted rate was achieved.

(a) Microstructure of Steel Plate

A microstructure was caused to appear by performing 3% nital etching. An optical microscope image of a cross section of each steel plate which is parallel to the rolling direction was captured at the ¼-thickness position at an appropriate magnification of 200 to 400 times. Microstructures were visually distinguished, and the area ratios of the microstructures were determined by an image analysis.

(b) Tensile Properties

A tensile test conforming to JIS 22241 was conducted using full-thickness tensile test specimens described in JIS Z2201 (1980), which were taken so that the longitudinal direction (tensile direction) of each specimen was parallel to the rolling direction, in order to make an evaluation.

(c) Fatigue Crack Propagation Test

A fatigue crack propagation characteristic was examined in the following manner. Compact tension specimens conforming to ASTM E 647 were taken from the respective steel plates so that the loading direction was parallel to the rolling direction. The lengths of fatigue cracks formed in each specimen were measured by a compliance method using a clip gage, and thereby a fatigue crack propagation rate in 90-MPa high-pressure hydrogen gas was determined. The test specimens were prepared by, when the thickness of the steel plate was 10 mm or less, grinding the both surfaces of the steel plate by 0.5 mm so that test specimens having thicknesses of 2 mm, 5 mm, 8 mm, and 9 mm were prepared. When the thickness of the steel plate was other than the above-described thickness, that is, more than 10 mm, a test specimen having a thickness of 10 mm was taken at the t/2 (t: plate thickness) position. Both sides of each test specimen were subjected to mirror polishing. A fatigue crack propagation rate (m/cycle) at a stress intensity factor range ΔK of 25 (MPa·m^(1/2)), which is a stable growth region in which Paris' law holds, was used as a representative value for evaluation. The targeted fatigue crack propagation rate was 1.0×10⁻⁶ (m/cycle) or less.

Steel plate Nos. P1 to P6, P8, P11, and P14 shown in Table 6, which satisfy all of the requirements for chemical composition and production conditions according to the present invention, had a dual-phase microstructure primarily composed of ferrite and pearlite, and the area ratio of pearlite fell within the range of the present invention. As summarized in Table 6, these steel plates had a fatigue crack propagation rate of 1.0×10⁻⁶ (m/cycle) or less, which confirms that these steel plates had high hydrogen embrittlement resistance in high-pressure hydrogen gas.

On the other hand, in Steel plate No. P7, where the heating temperature was lower than the lower limit of the range of the present invention (i.e., Ac₃), both the targeted pearlite area ratio and the targeted fatigue crack propagation rate were not achieved. In Steel plate Nos. P9 and P12, where the cooling start temperature (i.e., temperature at which water cooling or oil cooling was started) was lower than the lower limit of the range of the present invention (i.e., Ar₃), that is, out of the range of the present invention, both the targeted pearlite area ratio and the targeted fatigue crack propagation rate were not achieved. In Steel plate Nos. P10 and P13, where the cooling stop temperature (i.e., temperature at which water cooling or oil cooling was stopped) was higher than the upper limit of the range of the present invention (i.e., 250° C.), that is, out of the range of the present invention, both the targeted pearlite area ratio and the targeted fatigue crack propagation rate were not achieved. In Steel plate No. P15, where the tempering temperature was higher than the upper limit of the range of the present invention (i.e., Ac₁), that is, out of the range of the present invention, both the desired pearlite area ratio and the desired fatigue crack propagation rate were not achieved. However, Steel plate Nos. P7, P9, P10, P12, P13, and P15, which are shown as comparative examples, also had a dual-phase microstructure primarily composed of ferrite and pearlite.

As is clear from the above-described results, in Invention examples, the fatigue crack propagation rate was 1.0×10⁻⁶ (m/cycle) or less and a good hydrogen embrittlement characteristic was achieved. This confirms that a steel structure for hydrogen gas such as a hydrogen storage tank or a hydrogen line pipe which has high hydrogen embrittlement resistance can be produced.

TABLE 5-1 Steel Composition (mass %) type C Si Mn Al N P S O PA 0.05 0.15 0.89 0.028 0.0035 0.016 0.0021 0.0032 PB 0.06 0.23 1.55 0.034 0.0041 0.027 0.0042 0.0041 PC 0.05 0.18 0.71 0.031 0.0032 0.008 0.0014 0.0028 PD 0.06 0.32 0.92 0.029 0.0034 0.006 0.0009 0.0032 PE 0.06 0.22 0.62 0.033 0.0037 0.008 0.0022 0.0034 PF 0.07 0.32 0.77 0.059 0.0029 0.005 0.0012 0.0041 PG 0.08 0.44 1.23 0.028 0.0033 0.011 0.0009 0.0029 PH 0.10 0.46 1.52 0.027 0.0035 0.017 0.0021 0.0041

TABLE 5-2 Steel Composition (mass %) Ac₃ Ar₃ Ac₁ type Cu Ni Cr Mo Nb V Ti B Nd W Ca Mg REM (° C.) (° C.) (° C.) PA — — — — — — — — — — — — — 839 823 714 PB — — — — — — — — — — — — — 832 767 706 PC — — 0.81 — — — 0.006 — — — — — — 842 826 736 PD — — 0.51 0.11 — — — — — — — — — 844 801 729 PE — — 0.79 0.06 — — 0.006 — — — — — — 843 825 738 PF — — 0.77 0.12 0.016 0.025 — — — — — — — 843 806 737 PG 0.53 0.79 0.65 0.07 0.019 0.026 0.015 — — — — — — 827 717 719 PH — — 1.25 0.23 0.023 0.032 0.016 0.0006 0.005 0.06 0.0007 0.0006 0.0006 833 720 741 Note 1: Ac₃ (° C.) = 854 − 180C + 44Si − 14Mn − 17.8Ni − 1.7Cr, where the symbols of elements represent the contents (mass %) of the respective elements. Note 2: Ar₃ (° C.) = 910 − 310C − 80Mn − 20Cu − 15Cr − 55Ni − 80Mo, where the symbols of elements represent the contents (mass %) of the respective elements. Note 3: Ac₁ (° C.) = 723 − 14Mn + 22Si − 14.4Ni + 23.3Cr, where the symbols of elements represent the contents (mass %) of the respective elements.

TABLE 6 Water- Water- Oil-cooling Heating cooling start cooling stop start Steel Thickness temperature temperature temperature temperature No. type (mm) Production method (° C.) (° C.) (° C.) (° C.) P1 PA 3 Accelerated cooling 1100  900 550 — P2 PB 6 Direct quenching and 1100  900 200 — tempering P3 PB 6 Reheating, quenching, 920 850 200 — and tempering P4 PC 9 Accelerated cooling 1100  850 500 — P5 PD 10 Direct quenching and 1100  850 200 — tempering P6 PE 12 Reheating, quenching, 920 850 200 — and tempering P7 PE 12 Reheating, quenching, 750 850 200 — and tempering P8 PF 25 Reheating, quenching, 920 850 200 — and tempering P9 PF 25 Reheating, quenching, 920 650 200 — and tempering P10 PF 25 Reheating, quenching, 920 850 400 — and tempering P11 PG 25 Reheating, quenching, 920 — — 850 and tempering P12 PG 25 Reheating, quenching, 920 — — 600 and tempering P13 PG 25 Reheating, quenching, 920 — — 850 and tempering P14 PH 32 Reheating, quenching, 920 — — 850 and tempering P15 PH 32 Reheating, quenching, 920 — — 850 and tempering Oil-cooling Pearlite Fatigue crack stop Tempering area Tensile propagation temperature temperature ratio strength rate No. (° C.) (° C.) (%) (MPa) (m/cycle) Remark P1 — — 12 289 0.008 × 10⁻⁶ Invention example P2 — 650 15 305 0.01 × 10⁻⁶ Invention example P3 — 650 14 303 0.01 × 10⁻⁶ Invention example P4 — — 15 313 0.01 × 10⁻⁶ Invention example P5 — 650 14 402 0.05 × 10⁻⁶ Invention example P6 — 650 13 616 0.12 × 10⁻⁶ Invention example P7 — 650  8 539 1.07 × 10⁻⁶ Comparative example P8 — 650 16 617 0.17 × 10⁻⁶ Invention example P9 — 650  6 505 1.09 × 10⁻⁶ Comparative example P10 — 650  7 526 1.11 × 10⁻⁶ Comparative example P11 150 650 21 653 0.26 × 10⁻⁶ Invention example P12 150 650  8 601 1.42 × 10⁻⁶ Comparative example P13 400 650  6 621 1.87 × 10⁻⁶ Comparative example P14 150 650 12 871 0.46 × 10⁻⁶ Invention example P15 150 800  5 762 2.02 × 10⁻⁶ Comparative example Note 1: The underlines indicate that the values are out of the range of the present invention. 

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 14. A steel structure for hydrogen gas, the steel structure comprising a steel microstructure including any one of 10% to 95% of bainite on an area-ratio basis, 10% to 95% of martensite on an area-ratio basis, and 10% to 95% of pearlite on an area-ratio basis, with the balance being substantially ferrite.
 15. The steel structure for hydrogen gas according to claim 14, the steel structure having a steel composition containing, by mass, C: 0.05% to 0.20%, Si: 0.05% to 0.50%, Mn: 0.5% to 2.0%, Al: 0.01% to 0.10%, N: 0.0005% to 0.008%, P: 0.05% or less, S: 0.01% or less, and O: 0.01% or less, with the balance being Fe and inevitable impurities, wherein the steel microstructure includes 10% to 95% of bainite on an area-ratio basis with the balance being substantially ferrite.
 16. The steel structure for hydrogen gas according to claim 14, the steel structure having a steel composition containing, by mass, C: 0.05% to 0.35%, Si: 0.05% to 0.50%, Mn: 0.5% to 2.0%, Al: 0.01% to 0.10%, N: 0.0005% to 0.008%, P: 0.05% or less, S: 0.01% or less, and O: 0.01% or less, with the balance being Fe and inevitable impurities, wherein the steel microstructure includes 10% to 95% of martensite on an area-ratio basis with the balance being substantially ferrite.
 17. The steel structure for hydrogen gas according to claim 14, the steel structure having a steel composition containing, by mass, C: 0.05% to 0.10%, Si: 0.05% to 0.50%, Mn: 0.5% to 2.0%, Al: 0.01% to 0.10%, N: 0.0005% to 0.008%, P: 0.05% or less, S: 0.01% or less, and O: 0.01% or less, with the balance being Fe and inevitable impurities, wherein the steel microstructure includes 10% to 95% of pearlite on an area-ratio basis with the balance being substantially ferrite.
 18. The steel structure for hydrogen gas according to any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the steel composition further contains at least one group selected from the groups A and B consisting of: Group A: one or more elements selected from Cu: 0.05% to 1.0%, Ni: 0.05% to 2.0%, Cr: 0.1% to 2.5%, Mo: 0.05% to 2.0%, Nb: 0.005% to 0.1%, V: 0.005% to 0.2%, Ti: 0.005% to 0.1%, W: 0.05% to 2.0%, and B: 0.0005% to 0.005% by mass Group B: one or more elements selected from Nd: 0.005% to 1.0%, Ca: 0.0005% to 0.005%, Mg: 0.0005% to 0.005%, and REM: 0.0005% to 0.005% by mass.
 19. A method for producing the hydrogen line pipe, the method comprising heating a steel material having the steel composition according to any one of claims 15 to 17 to an Ac₃ transformation temperature or more, followed by hot rolling; and subsequently performing cooling from an Ar₃ transformation temperature or more to 600° C. or less at a cooling rate of 1° C./sec. to 200° C./sec.
 20. A method for producing the hydrogen line pipe, the method comprising heating a steel material having the steel composition according to any one of claims 15 to 17 to an Ac₃ transformation temperature or more, followed by hot rolling; performing quenching from an Ar₃ transformation temperature or more to 250° C. or less at a cooling rate of 1° C./sec. to 200° C./sec; and subsequently performing tempering at an Ac₁ transformation temperature or less.
 21. A method for producing the hydrogen storage tank, the method comprising forming a steel material having the steel composition according to any one of claims 15 to 17 into a predetermined shape, followed by heating to an Ac₃ transformation temperature or more; performing quenching from an Ar₃ transformation temperature or more to 250° C. or less at a cooling rate of 0.5° C./sec to 100° C./sec; and subsequently performing tempering at an Ac₁ transformation temperature or less.
 22. A method for producing the hydrogen line pipe, the method comprising heating a steel material having the steel composition according to claim 18 to an Ac₃ transformation temperature or more, followed by hot rolling; and subsequently performing cooling from an Ar₃ transformation temperature or more to 600° C. or less at a cooling rate of 1° C./sec. to 200° C./sec.
 23. A method for producing the hydrogen line pipe, the method comprising heating a steel material having the steel composition according to claim 18 to an Ac₃ transformation temperature or more, followed by hot rolling; performing quenching from an Ar₃ transformation temperature or more to 250° C. or less at a cooling rate of 1° C./sec. to 200° C./sec; and subsequently performing tempering at an Ac₁ transformation temperature or less.
 24. A method for producing the hydrogen storage tank, the method comprising forming a steel material having the steel composition according to claim 18 into a predetermined shape, followed by heating to an Ac₃ transformation temperature or more; performing quenching from an Ar₃ transformation temperature or more to 250° C. or less at a cooling rate of 0.5° C./sec to 100° C./sec; and subsequently performing tempering at an Ac₁ transformation temperature or less. 